Testing of planetary transmissions without planetary carrier bearing

Abstract

A test bench for testing a planetary transmission is provided. In order to utilize the test bench for a planetary transmission without a planetary carrier bearing, the test bench has a central bearing unit. The central bearing unit is configured to rotatably mount a planetary carrier of a first stage of the planetary transmission, and the central bearing unit is configured, furthermore, to center an internal gear of the planetary transmission with respect to the planetary carrier.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A test bench for testing a planetary transmission, the test bench comprising a central bearing unit, the central bearing unit being configured to rotatably mount a planetary carrier of a first stage of the planetary transmission, the central bearing unit being configured, furthermore, to center a ring gear of the planetary transmission with respect to the planetary carrier. 
     
     
       2. The test bench as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the central bearing unit has at least two anti-friction bearings which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction for supporting radial forces, or axial forces, or both radial and axial forces. 
     
     
       3. The test bench as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the test bench is configured as a back-to-back arrangement for simultaneously testing two planetary transmissions which are arranged in a mirror-inverted manner with regard to the central bearing unit with respect to one another. 
     
     
       4. A test setup with a test bench as claimed in  claim 1  and with a planetary transmission to be tested, the central bearing unit rotatably mounting the planetary carrier of the first stage of the planetary transmission to be tested, the central bearing unit centering the ring gear of the planetary transmission to be tested with respect to the planetary carrier. 
     
     
       5. The test setup as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the test setup is configured as a back-to-back arrangement. 
     
     
       6. The test setup as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the planetary transmission to be tested is configured as a planetary transmission which is free from planetary carrier bearings. 
     
     
       7. The test setup as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the planetary transmission to be tested has a first stage and at least one further stage which is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to the first stage. 
     
     
       8. A method for testing a planetary transmission by way of a test bench as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a test load is transmitted with the aid of a flange from the ring gear to the housing of the central bearing unit. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a return of torque takes place from the ring gear via the housing of the central bearing unit into a foundation of the central bearing unit. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the flange is arranged between the central bearing unit and the planetary transmission. 
     
     
       11. The use of the test bench as claimed in  claim 1  to carry out measurements and/or tests on a planetary transmission which is free from planetary carrier bearings. 
     
     
       12. A method for operating a test setup as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a test load is transmitted with the aid of a flange from the ring gear to the housing of the central bearing unit. 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a return of torque takes place from the ring gear via the housing of the central bearing unit into a foundation of the central bearing unit. 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the flange is arranged between the central bearing unit and the planetary transmission.